ES2365167T3 - SEPARATOR FOR ASSEMBLY OF SUSPENSION ARM CAP. - Google Patents

Abstract

A spacer apparatus for insulating a beam bushing assembly of an axle/suspension system from direct metal-to-metal contact with the vehicle frame hanger on which the assembly is pivotally mounted. In one embodiment, an integrally-formed one-piece apparatus includes a spacer disk portion and collar portions, whereby the collars provide a complementary fit of the spacer apparatus on the bushing assembly mounting tube, and generally prevents or minimizes relative movement between the spacer disk and bushing assembly. In other embodiments, one or more load dissipation structures mounted on or forming a part of the beam and/or its bushing assembly prevent substantially non-planar surfaces of the assembly from contacting a spacer disk by increasing the bearing area of those surfaces which contact the disk. These apparatus generally eliminate excessive wear or damage to the spacer disk and possible resulting damage to the axle/suspension system.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to axle / suspension systems that are useful for heavy vehicles such as two-wheeled trailers. More particularly, the invention is intended for suspension assemblies of heavy vehicles that include a bushing assembly for pivotally mounting one end of the beam of the suspension assembly to the vehicle chassis by means of a chassis support, in which a separating apparatus Improved is disposed between each side of the bushing assembly and the side walls of the chassis support, - to generally prevent or minimize the relative movement between the bushing assembly and the protective shoe or separator disk of the separating apparatus, or alternatively to prevent or minimize generally the direct contact between the substantially non-flat surfaces of the bushing assembly and the separating disk increasing the support surface between them, thus generally eliminating excessive wear or damage to the separating disk and the possibility of causing damage to the axle / suspension system.

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNIQUE

[0002] Front or rear beam-type axle / suspension systems are conventionally used in heavy vehicles such as two-wheel trailers. For reasons of clarity and understanding, an axle / suspension system having an exit beam for use in a two-wheel trailer will be described below. US 5996981 and US 6131930 describe relevant suspension systems. Each axle / suspension system includes a pair of transversely separated suspension assemblies, each having an exit beam. Each beam generally has a rigid construction between its front or rear ends without any point of attachment, pivot, or the like, so that the beam structure itself is free of any significant deflection. The rigid arms or beams of many of these types of axle / suspension systems are rigidly coupled to the axle in the middle of the rear end of the opposite beam from its front end which is pivotally connected to the chassis support. Due to this rigid axle to beam connection, when the trailer tilts from side to side during road operation, the axle is exposed to torsional forces. In addition, the rigid beam construction combined with the rigid beam-to-shaft connection implies that these torsion axis forces are transmitted forward through the shaft and in a rotational, longitudinal, lateral and vertical movement at the front end of the coupled beam. pivotally

[0003] As indicated above, the pivot coupling of the beam to chassis support is achieved by a bushing assembly typically comprising an elastomeric bushing that is molded around and adhesively fixed to a central steel sleeve having a continuous passage formed through it. The elastomeric bushing, in turn, is snapped into a sturdy steel mounting tube. The entire bushing assembly is securely attached to the other beam components to complete the beam structure. Conventional fasteners are used to pivotly fix the bushing assembly to the chassis support.

[0004] Also, it is well known in the art of suspension, that the elastomeric bushing can be designed for different specifications, thus customizing its deflection frequency, which in turn dictates the tilt of the trailer that can occur in a travel movement determined during vehicle operation. More specifically, in the types of axle / suspension systems described above, the elastomeric bushing is typically designed to deviate more in the vertical direction than in the longitudinal direction, allowing part of the tilt of the trailer, which is neither too large nor too much. small, and at the same time to prevent excessive longitudinal movement that could cause the shaft to depart from a straight alignment condition. The deflection of the longer vertical bushing also helps by preventing the construction of excessive tension in the rigid shaft-to-beam connection, which could result from the torsional forces of the shaft, but which instead come from the output beam through the bushing deflections. An example of this type of elastomeric bushings that deviate more in the vertical direction than in the longitudinal direction are the TRI-FUNCTIONAL caps (a federally registered trademark of The Boler Company), owned by The Boler Company. In the types of axle / suspension systems described, the vertical movement at the coupling point of the bushing assembly to the vehicle chassis support can be approximately 0.75 inches in any vertical direction, and the rotational movement can be up to approximately 30º (thirty degrees). Such movements are significant.

[0005] The pivot connection of the suspension assembly to the chassis support is also the location of the significant lateral loads. Such side loads typically occur when the trailer is rotating and / or its tires rub with a curb, causing the side loads to be imposed on the axle. This pivot connection through the bushing assembly is the only coupling point between each suspension assembly and the vehicle support, apart from the air spring and the shock absorber. The pneumatic spring is mounted on and extends between the rear end of the beam and the vehicle support, and the shock absorber is also typically mounted on and extends between a selected location on the beam and the vehicle support. However, pneumatic springs and dampers do not work to react with the lateral loads with which the axle is located. Therefore, the bushing assembly described above is solely responsible for reacting such lateral loads with which the axle / suspension system and its suspension assemblies are located.

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[0006] In addition to the lateral load sources described above, many roads in the world, including those in the United States, have an important cant to increase drainage. Due to the cant of the roads, trailers often lean towards the passenger side of the road and can lean or go to the passenger side or to the side of the road. In an axle / suspension system of the output shaft, such an inclination towards the passenger side can cause the beams to rub against the driver's side of the chassis supports to control the lateral movement of the axle and keep the shaft alignment straight. In addition, many such banned roads are in remote areas and consequently proper maintenance is often not performed. However, vehicles such as two-wheeled trailers still have to carry a lot of cargo on such roads and often have to drive for many hours before finding roads in good condition, which can add much more tension to the axle / suspension system.

[0007] If the lateral loads are large enough, and also if the inclination towards the passenger side is severe enough and the road uneven enough, such an output shaft can move up to approximately 0.75 inches vertically in any direction, pushing towards the sides, and turning until 30º (thirty degrees), all simultaneously. Such loads will typically create a significant amount of heat if the metal mounting tube of the bushing assembly is crushed against the driver's side wall of the chassis bracket. Obviously, depending on the operating situation, such roughing can also occur on the side wall of the passenger side of the chassis support. For this reason, a separator disk is conventionally used to isolate the opposing steel surfaces of each outer edge of the mounting tube and its respective side wall of the chassis bracket, to prevent the mounting tube from rotating directly against the stationary chassis bracket. .

[0008] More particularly, a separator disk is located between each side of the bushing assembly and its respective side wall of the chassis support. The separator disk is typically made of a suitable plastic material that has excellent durability, such as ultralight molecular weight polyethylene. However, it has been found that such plastic materials typically deform at approximately 150 ° F, and when road conditions are not good, as described above, the swivel and deflected bushing assembly can cause temperatures of approximately 150 ° to be reached. F.

[0009] In addition, when the vehicle tilts, the elasticity of the bush keeps the wheels on the ground at least until a tipping situation occurs. The resulting inclination of each exit beam in its respective chassis support causes a loading point at the edge of the steel bushing mounting tube against the plastic separator disk, which in turn is in contact with the lateral wall of the support . Such a point or load line has sufficient force to deform the material of the separator disk. If left unchecked, the separator disk may wear excessively and remain too thin to be effective for its isolation purpose. Finally, the affected separator disk would tear completely and the exit beam and especially its bushing mounting tube would be roughed directly on the side wall of the support. The additional heat generated by the roughing steel surfaces can cause the elastomeric bushing to deteriorate rapidly, which in turn can cause a roughing of steel on steel. If this situation is not checked, the suspension beam will rub into a groove inside the support side, which can cause the beam to be mechanically locked with the support and prevent it from deviating vertically. Without a proper deflection in the beam towards the pivot connection of the chassis support, high stresses are concentrated in the rigid beam in a shaft connection, potentially reducing the life of the beam or the shaft. Finally, such damage can cause excessive misalignment and steering problems. This type of damage to the chassis support and / or the axle / suspension system will probably require replacement. Obviously, such damages are not desirable, with drawbacks and cost.

[0010] A possible solution to the problem described above may be to increase the temperature stability of the material that forms the separator disk. However, the forces of movement and the loading point described above, especially when on roads in poor conditions, can be too adverse, even with very advanced materials, to withstand the entire life of the vehicle.

[0011] GB 348,327 describes a composite bushing for a vehicle suspension system. Pair of annular wedges are disposed between the bushing and the support clamps to prevent overloading at the ends of the bushing.

[0012] US 5,275,429 describes a bushing assembly in two parts, each part having a sleeve and an integral flange that prevents contact between a metal bushing tube and a chassis support clamp.

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[0013] JP 11,210,194 describes a rubber ring to fit at the end of the bushing assembly in order to prevent vibration caused by contact between the bushing assembly and a bracket clamp.

[0014] JP 11.063.058 describes a rubber ring to fit at the end of the bushing assembly in order to influence the spring elastic ratio of a part of the elastomeric bushing of the bushing assembly.

[0015] JP 2001330067 discloses a stop spring made of hard material that is snapped between the inner and outlet cylinders of a bushing to regulate the axial movement of the outer barrel of the bushing.

[0016] The present invention contemplates combining a structure or structures of load dissipation with a conventional separator disk, to include a separator apparatus with individual components working together. The present invention further contemplates a one-piece integral separator apparatus that generally eliminates the relative movement between the bushing assembly and the separator disk. More particularly, an embodiment of the separator apparatus of the present invention minimizes or prevents the relative movement described above between the bushing assembly and the separator disk and transfers the relative movement between the improved separator apparatus and the chassis support. This relocation of movement significantly reduces the loads between the bushing mounting tube and the separator disk. Two other embodiments of the present invention increase the bearing surface of the material that is in direct contact with the separator disk from the relatively thin edge of the bushing mounting tube to a substantially flat area of a load dissipation structure. Therefore, in a vehicle movement situation, this larger flat area moves in tune with the bushing assembly and is in direct contact with the separator disk, instead of the relatively thin and sharp edge of the mounting tube being in contact with the separator disk. This arrangement of the parts greatly reduces the force on the separator disk from a contact force of the line or point type to a dispersed, flatter type of force. Therefore, although the temperatures generated by the bushing assembly when turning can still reach the maximum that the separator disk can withstand, excessive wear and the resulting damage to the disk will be minimized or eliminated because the forces acting on the disk are dispersed and therefore they are relatively low at any point on the disk.

[0017] As a result of the improved separator apparatus of the present invention, the separator disk can protect the chassis support, and the suspension assembly can function normally without the significant possibility of mechanical locking with the chassis support, and the resulting possibility of damage to the chassis and the axle / suspension system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The objectives of the present invention include providing a separating apparatus that prevents or minimizes direct relative movement between the mounting tube of the bushing assembly and the separating disk, as well as the presence of heat, or alternatively preventing or minimizing contact of type line or direct point between the edges of the bushing mounting tube and the separator disk.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a separating apparatus that minimizes or prevents excessive wear of the separator disk and the support of the suspension assembly chassis.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a separating apparatus and that is economical, durable and easy to install, maintain and replace.

[0021] The present invention thus provides a suspension assembly of an axle / suspension system according to claim 1, claim 5 or claim 7.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best way in which applicants have contemplated the application of the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings, and are particularly and differentially indicated and set forth in the attached claims.

Figure 1 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the output beams of an axle / suspension system and the chassis support on which it is pivotally mounted, and shows the manner in which a technique separator disk anterior is disposed between each side of the beam bushing assembly and the support;

Figure 1A is a fragmented and enlarged plan view, with hidden parts represented by broken lines showing the beam bushing assembly pivotally mounted on the chassis support;

Figure 1B is a sectional view taken along lines A-A of Figure 1A showing the bushing assembly in a static position;

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Figure 1C is a view similar to Figure 1B, but showing a relative type of movement that can occur between the bushing assembly and conventional separator discs under vertical loading conditions, whereby a point or type contact occurs. unwanted line between the edges of the bushing assembly mounting tube and the separator disk;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view similar to Figure 1, but showing a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the separating apparatus is an integrally formed one-piece structure;

Figure 2A is a fragmentary and enlarged plan view, with hidden parts represented by broken lines, showing the beam bushing assembly pivotally mounted on the chassis support;

Figure 2B is a sectional view taken along lines A-A of Figure 2A showing the bushing assembly in a static position;

Figure 2C is a view similar to Figure 2B, but showing the optimal lack of relative movement between the bushing assembly and the separator apparatus under vertical loading conditions, whereby relative movement occurs between the separator apparatus and the support of the chassis;

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view similar to Figure 1, but showing a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the separating apparatus comprises two separator components including a traditional separator disk and a load dissipation element. ;

Figure 3A is a fragmented and enlarged plan view, with hidden parts represented by broken lines showing the beam bushing assembly pivotally mounted on the chassis support;

Figure 3B is a sectional view taken along lines A-A of Figure 3A showing the bushing assembly in a static position;

Figure 3C is a view similar to Figure 3B, but showing the desirable lack of point or line contact between the bushing assembly assembly tube and the separator discs under vertical loading conditions;

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view similar to Figure 1, but showing a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the separating apparatus comprises three separate components including a traditional separator disk, a portion of the side wall of the beam, and a circular flange formed in the sleeve mounting tube.

Figure 4A is a fragmented and enlarged plan view, with hidden parts represented by broken lines showing the beam bushing assembly pivotally mounted on the chassis support;

Figure 4B is a sectional view taken along lines A-A of Figure 4A showing the bushing assembly in a static position; Y

Figure 4C is a view similar to Figure 4B, but showing the desirable lack of point or line contact between the bushing assembly mounting tube and the separator discs under vertical loading conditions.

[0023] Similar numerals refer to similar parts in the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] In order to better understand the environment in which the new separator apparatus of the present invention is useful, a prior art axle / suspension system using a conventional separator disk will be described below.

[0025] A front or rear beam type axle / suspension system is generally indicated by 10 and is shown in Figure 1. The axle / suspension system 10 is the subject of US Pat. No. 5,037,126, available by the assignee of the present invention, and sold commercially as the HT Series Suspension System. The axle / suspension system 10 includes an identical pair of suspension assemblies mounted on a pair of transversely spaced chassis supports according to the vehicle chassis to capture an axle; Only one of the suspension assemblies will be described here.

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[0026] Suspension assembly 11 includes an output shaft or beam 12 which is generally a rigid box-type metal structure comprising a pair of side walls that extend vertically and are transversely spaced 66, interconnected by a top portion that extends horizontally, and lower plates 38 and 39, respectively. The side walls 66 and the top plate 38 are formed as a one-piece structure and generally have an inverted U-shape. The lower plate 39 is attached to the side walls 66 to complete the structure of the beam 12. The front end of the beam 12 includes a bush assembly 13 of a type that is well known in the art of shaft / suspension assembly of Heavy vehicles. The bushing assembly 12 includes a mounting tube 14 made of robust steel and an elastomeric bushing 15 fixed to the tube under pressure. The bushing 15 is molded around and adhesively fixed to a central metal sleeve 25 formed with a continuous opening 29. The sleeve 25 is preferably made of steel. The sleeve 25 passes completely through a bushing 15 and extends outwardly from the side walls thereof to facilitate the assembly of the beam 12 in the vehicle support, which will be described in more detail below. As is known in the art, the durometer of the elastomeric sleeve 15 may vary according to the application and the deflection properties of the desired sleeve. To generally achieve a smoother path in the vertical direction and a stiffer path in the longitudinal direction, the bushing 15 is formed with a pair of voids 26 in each of the side parts.

[0027] The rear end of the output beam 12 forms a platform 16 to support a conventional bellows-type pneumatic spring (not shown), which extends between and is coupled to the platform 16 and the vehicle support (not shown) . A shock absorber (not shown) is also coupled to and extends between beam 12 and the vehicle support at selected locations to complete the main components of the suspension assembly 11. A common axle 12 extends between and is rigidly captured in the rear end of each beam 12 using the U-shaped bolts 27.

[0028] The beam of the suspension assembly 12 is pivotally mounted (see also Figures 1A and 1B) on the vehicle frame by means of a chassis support 18 which depends on and is fixed to the chassis by any suitable means such as welding. Chassis support 18 is typically a box-type steel structure that has a vertically extending front wall 21 and an upper wall 37 that is coupled to and extends between a pair of vertically extending walls 22. A fixing assembly Well-known 19 includes a bolt 20 that passes through a pair of aligned openings 23 formed in the side walls of the support 22, a pair of aligned openings 24 formed in a pair of conventional separation discs 28, and a continuous aligned opening 29 of bushing sleeve 25. Each separation disc 28 is typically made of ultralight molecular weight polyethylene, and is disposed around a bushing assembly sleeve 25 between one of the side walls 22 of the support and bushing 15 and its tube of assembly 14, to insulate in metal-to-metal contact between the mounting tube and the side walls of the support.

[0029] Figures 1A and 1B depict a beam bushing assembly pivotally mounted 13 in a static state when the trailer is not in operation. Figure 1C depicts a possible scenario of how a bushing assembly 13 reacts when the shaft 17 and the rigidly coupled beam 12 are subject to vertical and lateral loads represented by the arrows V and S, respectively, such as when the vehicle is angled . As can be seen, the relative movement towards the driver's side of the vehicle occurs when the mounting tube 14 and the separation discs 28, which can cause a line or point contact between the edge of the driver's mounting tube and the driver side separation disc as shown by the arrows P. As discussed above, this relative movement can cause damage and ultimately the destruction of the protective shoe 28 and cause a direct line or point contact between the mounting tube 14 and the inner surface of the side wall of the driver's side support 22. Such direct contact can cause the formation of grooves in the side walls 22, in turn preventing the desired vertical movement of the suspension beam 12 by mechanically blocking the beam and support 18. This blockage may result in the torsion loads of shaft 17 not being properly transferred through beam 12, the support e 18, and into the vehicle chassis. The heat generated by the direct contact of the steel can also cause damage and the destruction of the elastomeric bushing 15, rendering it unusable to achieve wetting. If such a condition persists, serious damage to support 18, beam 12 and shaft 17 can also occur.

[0030] The separating apparatus of the present invention will now be described. However, if we consider that the suspension assembly 11 and the chassis support 18 are virtually identical to those shown in the prior art in Figures 1-1C in the first two embodiments of the present invention, the only differences are in the apparatus Enhanced separator to provide cushioning between the inner surfaces of the side walls of the chassis support 22 and the bushing assembly 13, which will now be described.

[0031] A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 2-2C, and to remove the traditional separation discs 28 and replace them with an integrally formed one piece separating apparatus 30. The separating apparatus 30 is preferably made with the same material as the separation discs of the prior art 28, mainly, ultralight molecular weight polyethylene. The separating apparatus 30 includes a separation disk portion 31 which serves to isolate the metal and metal contact between the mounting tube 14 and the side walls of the support 22. Front and rear collars 32 and 33, respectively, extend towards the tube Mounting 14 perpendicularly from the peripheral edge of the disk 31. More specifically, the front collar 32 extends along approximately the front half of the periphery of the disk 31, and the rear collar 33 extends along approximately half from the rear half of the periphery of the disk 31 and is opposite the front collar 32. The front collar 32 extends towards the mounting tube 14 at a significantly greater distance, or approximately four times more than the rear collar 33. The surface of the disk 31 adjacent to its side wall of the respective support 22 is flat and smooth, and the surface of the disk adjacent to the mounting tube14 is formed with a channel or continuous anura 34 adjacent to collars 32, 33.

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[0032] Therefore, the combination of collars 32, 33 and slot 34 serves to pilot each spacer 30 in the outer and inner diameters of the mounting tube 14 (see Figures 2A and 2B), and also to position the apparatus relating to the upper and lower beam plates 38 and 39, respectively, and a respective pair of side walls of the beam 66. The separating apparatus 30 thus achieves a complementary coupling in the mounting tube 14, and the front collar 32 further aids in preventing excessive rotation of the separator apparatus due to the coupling of the upper and rear rear edges, 35 and 36 respectively, of the collar with the leading edge of the upper and lower beam plates 38 and 39, respectively, if any slight rotation of the separating device occurs.

[0033] Therefore, the integral design in a part of the separating apparatus 30, together with its complementary coupling with the mounting tube 14, prevents a relative transverse movement between the tube and the separation disk 21, during the operation of the vehicle, unlike the mounting tubes and separator discs of the prior art 28. Therefore, damage to the disk due to line or point contact forces from the edge of the mounting tube 14 rubbing against or hitting the disk during pivotally mounted beam joint 12 is minimized or completely eliminated. Instead, when the vertical and / or lateral loading forces V and S, respectively, cause the disk 31 to rub or hit the side wall of the support 22, the forces are generally distributed evenly across the flat surface of the disk, thus providing effective insulation against direct metal-to-metal contact between the tube 14 and the side wall of the support 22.

[0034] A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 3-3C. The separating apparatus of the second embodiment 40 is a two-piece structure that includes a traditional separating disk 28 and a load dissipation element 41. More particularly, the load dissipation element 41 is an integral element of a made part. preferably steel. The load dissipation element 41 includes a flat ring portion 42 having a flat, smooth surface adjacent to the separator disk 28. A continuous flange 43 extends outwardly perpendicularly from the inner circumference of the ring 42 and in the direction of the tube. Mounting 14. The internal diameter of the mounting tube 14 is lowered so that a continuous notch 44 is formed along the outer edge of the tube to receive the flange 43 and frictionally mount the load dissipation element 41 in the tube .

[0035] Therefore, the load dissipation element 41, as best shown in Figure 3C, prevents the relatively sharp edges of the mounting tube 14 from directly rubbing or hitting the separator disk 28 when the vertical loading forces and lateral V and S, respectively, react thanks to the bush assembly 13 during vehicle operation, unlike the arrangement of prior art parts shown in Figures 1-1C. More specifically, when the vertical and / or lateral face forces cause the mounting tube 14 and the load dissipation element 41 to move synchronously and strike one of the separation discs 28, which in turn hits the side wall of the support 22, the forces of the mounting tube are generally distributed uniformly by the flat ring 42. The larger bearing surface of the flat ring 42 in turn comes into contact with the separator disk 28 and similarly more evenly distributed such forces. Thus, damage to the separation discs 28 due to direct line or point contact from the edges of the mounting tube 14 is generally eliminated. Therefore, the separating apparatus of the second embodiment 40 of the present invention also effectively isolates the direct metal-to-metal contact between the tube 14 and the side wall of the support 22 protecting the integrity of the separation discs 28.

[0036] A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 4-4C. The separating apparatus of the third embodiment 50 is a multi-piece structure that includes a traditional separator disk 28. The components of the axle / suspension system in which the third embodiment 50 of the present invention can be used are identical to those used in the first two embodiments of the present invention and the prior art axle / suspension system 10, except that the front end of the beam 12 'is modified, and in particular the side walls 66' and the sleeve assembly 13 ' They are different. More particularly, the beam 12 'is identical to the prior art beam 12, the only difference being that the front end of the side walls of the beam 66' and the bush assembly 13 'are modified to act as dissipation structures of the face, similar to the load dissipation element 41 of the second embodiment 40 of the present invention. More specifically, a hole 51, 52 is formed at the front end of a respective one of each side wall of the beam 66 ', so that the respective side walls have a flat ring-shaped portion 53, 54 of the side wall that surround each hole 51, 52, respectively (see figures 4 and 4B). The outer hole 52 is smaller in diameter than the inner hole 51, so that the outer side wall ring 54 is wider than the inner side wall ring 53. It is understood that this arrangement could be reversed, that is, located the inner hole 51 in the outer side wall 66 'and the outer hole 52 in the inner wall 66' without affecting the concept of the present invention.

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[0037] As indicated above, the separating apparatus 50 has components incorporated in the socket assembly 13 '. More particularly, the assembly 13 'includes a sturdy steel bushing mounting tube 56 which is a coil-shaped structure having a continuous outer flange 58 and a larger continuous inner flange 57 formed along its outer periphery and internal, respectively, and generally extends vertically from it. It is this modification of the mounting tube 56 in comparison with the prior art mounting tubes 14, mainly, the external and internal flanges 57, 48, respectively, that form a part of and cooperate with the other components of the separating apparatus 50 , including the rings of the side walls of the beam 53 and 54 and the traditional spacer discs 28.

[0038] To mount the bushing assembly 13 'with the rest of the beam 12' components, the smallest outer flange of the mounting tube 58 is inserted into the larger opening of the inner beam 51 and adjoins the inner surface of the outer side wall ring 54. The larger flange of the inner mounting tube 47 in turn adjoins the inner side wall ring of the outer surface 53, and the stopper components are welded or securely fixed by other suitable means.

[0039] Figure 4B depicts a beam bushing assembly pivotally mounted 13 'in a static state when the trailer is not in operation. According to one of the main features of the separating apparatus of the third embodiment 50 of the present invention, Figure 4C represents a possible scenario of how the bushing assembly 13 'reacts when subjected to vertical loads V and lateral loads S, such as for example When the vehicle is angled. As can be seen, the relative movement towards the driver's side of the vehicle occurs between the mounting tube 56, and the spacer 28 and the ring of the outer side wall of the beam 54. Therefore, in the scenario shown in Figure 4C, if the forces of the lateral load act in the direction of the arrow S and the vertical forces in the direction of the arrow V, the flat surface of the ring of the outer side wall of the beam 54 comes into contact with the separation disk 28. More specifically, the lateral loading forces and frictional forces propagate along the entire surface of the side wall ring, transferred from the outer flange of the flat mounting tube 58 in a similar manner, thus transferring such forces widely dispersed by the large bearing surfaces of the flange 58 and the ring 54 to the separator disk 28, thus avoiding or minimizing excessive wear or damage to it. If the lateral forces act in the opposite direction, or towards the passenger side of the vehicle, it can be clearly seen that it is the flange of the internal mounting tube 57 that distributes the lateral loading forces uniformly to its respective separation disk 28, as transferred from the flat inner side wall ring 53.

[0040] Therefore, it can be seen that the components of the separating apparatus of the third embodiment 50, including the inner and outer rings of the side wall of the beam 53, 54, respectively, the inner and outer flanges of the mounting tube 57 , 58, respectively, and the separation discs 28, all contribute to prevent any point or line of contact between any surface of the beam 12 'or its sleeve assembly 13', and the separation discs. Thus, the damages in the separation discs 28 due to the direct contact lines or points are minimized or eliminated. Instead, such forces are distributed more evenly across the relatively large flat bearing surfaces of the side wall rings 53, 54 and the mounting tube flanges 57, 58, thus providing effective insulation against the Direct metal-to-metal contact between any beam structure 12 'or its mounting tube 13' and the side walls of the support 22.

[0041] It is understood that other suitable materials could be used for the components of the separating apparatus 30, 40 and 50 other than those shown and described above, without affecting the general concept of the present invention. It is also contemplated that other designs can be used to achieve the desired result of the present invention, primarily, to protect the separator discs from undue wear by contact in a line or at a non-flat point of the metal surfaces of the beam against the separating disc, or alternatively, against the relative movement between the beam and the separating discs, resulting in such contact. Therefore, it can be seen that all the separating devices 30, 40 and 50 of the present invention overcome the disadvantages associated with the use of the separation discs of the prior art 28.

[0042] It is also understood that the embodiments of the present invention described above are also contemplated for use with axle / suspension systems of the output shaft type and pneumatic beam. The present invention can also be used in other types of heavy vehicles such as trucks with two-wheel trailers, trucks without trailers such as dump trucks, and the like.

[0043] Similarly, the improved separator apparatus of the present invention is simplified, provides an effective, safe, economical and efficient apparatus that achieves all the listed objectives, is provided to eliminate the difficulties encountered with the separator discs or conventional protective shoes. , and solve problems and get new results in the art.

[0044] In the above description, certain terms have been used for reasons of brevity, clarity and understanding, but unnecessary limitations should not be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for purposes. descriptive and are intended to be widely interpreted.

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[0045] In addition, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described, but is defined by the appended claims.

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Claims (9)

1. Suspension assembly (11) of an axle / suspension system of a heavy vehicle (10), said suspension system having (11): a beam (12) including a bushing assembly (13) for pivotally mounting the beam (12) in a chassis by means of a chassis support (18), and an integral separating apparatus (30) separating said bushing assembly and which includes a portion of spacer disc (31) disposed between one side of said bush assembly (13) and a side wall (22) of said chassis support (18) on each of a pair of opposite sides of said support of the chassis (18), and characterized in that said integral separator apparatus (30) further including a ring (32, 33) formed along a portion of the outer periphery of each portion of the separator disk (31) and extending perpendicularly inwards to engage with said bushing assembly (13), the coupling of the separator apparatus ring preventing the movement of the separator disk (31) relative to said bushing assembly (13) thus avoiding excessive wear of the separator disk (31).

2.

 Suspension assembly (11) according to claim 1, wherein:

a continuous groove (34) is formed on the surface of said portion of the separator disk (31) adjacent to the bushing assembly (13) and said at least one ring (32, 33): and said groove (34) and the rings ( 32, 33) provide a complementary adjustment for the separating apparatus (30) in a mounting tube (14) of said bush assembly (13).

3.

 Suspension assembly (11) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in each separating apparatus said at least one ring (32, 33) includes:

a front ring (32) extending along approximately the front half of the periphery of the separator disc portion, said front ring (32) having an upper and rear rear end (35, 36) to provide a stop against a respective one of a top and rear wall (38, 39) of said beam (12) to prevent excessive rotation of said portion of the separator disk (31); and a rear ring (33) extending along approximately one half of the rear half of the periphery of the separator disc portion that is narrower than the front ring (32).

Four.

 Suspension assembly (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said separating apparatus is made of a piece and of plastic material.

5.

 Suspension assembly (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said separating apparatus is made of a piece and of ultralight molecular weight polyethylene.

6.

 Suspension assembly (11) of an axle / suspension system of a heavy vehicle (10), said assembly (11) having: a beam (12) including a bush assembly (13) for pivotally mounting the beam (12 ) in a chassis by means of a chassis support (18); and a means for substantially preventing direct contact between the substantially non-planar surfaces of said bushing assembly (13) and a spacer disc (28) disposed between each side of the bushing assembly (13) and said chassis support (18), thus preventing excessive wear of the separator disk (28), characterized in that the means includes load dissipation elements (41) disposed between each side of said bushing assembly (13) having a generally supporting surface flat and extending vertically and a flange (43) extending perpendicularly towards said bushing assembly

(13) for frictionally coupling a mounting tube (14) of the bushing assembly (13).

7.

 Suspension assembly (11) according to claim 6, wherein each load dissipation element (41) is a one-piece structure made entirely of steel, and said flange (43) is a continuous flange formed along the inner periphery of said ring (42), said flange engaging a recessed portion (44) of the inner diameter of said mounting tube (14).

8.

 Suspension assembly (11) of an axle / suspension system of a heavy vehicle (10), said assembly having (11):

a beam (12) including a bushing assembly (13) for pivotally mounting the beam (12) in a vehicle chassis by means of a chassis support (8), and characterized by the fact that a plurality of surface of supports are formed on each of a pair of side walls (66 ') of said beam (12') and a mounting tube (56) of said bushing assembly (13); said mounting tube (56) has a wide flange that generally extends vertically (57) at one end and a narrow flange that generally extends vertically (58) at its other end, the wide flange (57) being wider that the narrow tab (58); each of the side walls (66 ') adjacent to the mounting tube (56) has an opening (51, 52) being one surrounded by a substantially flat wide ring (54) and the other being surrounded by a substantially flat narrow ring ( 53); and said wide flange (57) abuts the outer surface of said narrow ring (53) and said narrow flange (58) adjoins the inner surface of said wide ring (54), thereby preventing direct contact between substantially the non-flat support surface image 1 5 of said bushing assembly (13) and a spacer disk (28) disposed between the bushing assembly (13) and a chassis support (18), thus preventing excessive wear of the separator disk (28). 9. Suspension assembly (11) according to claim 8, wherein said wide and narrow flanges (57, 58) are welded to said narrow and wide rings (54, 53) respectively.